2019 MEETINGS: April 16 (Annual Meeting), Grant Park Neighborhood Association June 11 (Board), September 17 (General), & November 12 (Board) P.O. Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Spring 2019 Grant Park Church 2728 NE 34th Ave QFC Closes: End of An Era (corner of 34th and Knott Streets) by Ken Peterson To check the meeting schedule More than four generations of Grant and agenda, or to suggest an Park residents have enjoyed the agenda topic, please go to: continuous presence of a full service grantpark-na.org/thehood/ within our neighborhood meetings.html boundaries. That came to an end on January 29, 2019, when QFC closed GPNA MEETINGS its doors for the last time. Our Annual Meeting, when elections are held, is in April. Special or emergency Judging from the outpouring on Nex- meetings, when needed, may be tdoor (14 separate strings with more scheduled at any time. Meetings are than 500 comments) QFC will be great- open. Grant Park Neighborhood ly missed. Nextdoor comments varied Association is open to ALL persons living from speculation about what would or working within its boundaries. If you happen next to the newly available real need special accommodation, please estate parcel, to fond recollections and contact a Board member. memories of favorite employees at both QFC and its predecessor, Kienow’s, GPNA to mutterings of conspiracy by Corporation to essentially “kill off” the EXECUTIVE BOARD Grant Park store to maximize profits at its nearby store, which re- (left to right) Bill Koppel, Assistant Manager, President: cently had an extensive and expensive Roger Dowell, Manager, and Eric Chang, Ken Peterson Service Manager after locking up the store for remodeling. the last time. Vice President: One thing is clear: the store had not I was interviewing the manager, some- Ron Laster been profitable for five years. Despite one walked in, calmly picked up a large Acting Treasurer: heroic efforts by a very diligent store bakery pecan pie, and walked right Ron Laster manager, Roger Dowell, the store back out the entrance, not more than Secretary: remained in the red with recent annual ten feet from where we were speaking. goals of deficit reduction rather than a This particular person was well known Jane Comeault return to profitability. The five-year time to the store employees, but they lacked At Large: frame coincides roughly with the arrival the ability to effectively deter him and Neon Brooks, of the nearby , others from engaging in blatant theft. Mary Cal Hanson which prompted the first major remod- el at Fred Meyer to make those two In addition, the lease for the store was Land Use Chair: stores more comparable and compet- about to expire. Grocery stores gener- Ken Peterson itive. QFC did get a minor makeover ally obtain long leases, frequently 20 Contact the board at: years, and Kroger was not willing to a few years ago that did not approach [email protected] the scope of its nearby competition. take a chance on the store for such a lengthy interval. There was also a lot of theft from the STAY IN TOUCH store, and Kroger corporate policy of Given the choice of near- Find us at Facebook: not physically confronting shoplifters by, many shoppers came consciously GrantParkNeighborhood; made the store an easy target. During or unconsciously to regard QFC as a Join our discussion group at: groups. a visit just before the store closed while sort of big convenience store, like an google.com/forum/#!forum/gpna-forum continued page 5 Or join us at: grantparkor.nextdoor.com www.grantpark-na.org Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 2 Spring 2019 Grant Park Neighborhood Association Board Elections by Ron Laster The Annual Meeting in April is when GPNA conducts Board of Director elections.

The City of Portland established the Neighborhood Association structure in the mid-1970’s. In doing so, the City acknowledged the then current phenomena of increased citizen interest and participation in the planning and deliv- ery of government services as well as requirements imposed on city, state and federal levels for a defined citizen participation structure.

Portland’s 95 self-governed neighborhood associations are defined geographically and have individual bylaws that establish boundaries, duties of board members, and meeting frequency. The current GPNA bylaws can be found on our website at http://www.grantpark-na.org/aboutgpna/bylaws.html

The volunteers who make up the Board are elected to serve one year in their respective positions. The Board is responsible for ensuring the financial well being of the association, maintaining up to date bylaws, providing for a transparent, objective meeting process and in time sensitive matters, acting for the association.

The Board can also form committees to respond to specific issues and needs as they develop and can designate representatives to represent Grant Park at other venues.

Our bylaws allow for up to 15 members- Five Officer positions and tenAt-Large positions;

• President: Chief Executive Officer who presides over all meetings (General and Board)

• Vice-President: Acts as president when the president is unavailable (we can have up to two Vice-Presidents)

• Treasurer: Responsible for maintaining the finances of the Association and filing the appropriate tax forms

• Secretary: Takes and publishes the meeting minutes and attendee lists

• Communications: Manages and coordinates the newsletter publication and website

• At-Large positions: These are voting positions and are good “training grounds” for future officers.

We take nominations from the floor. You can nominate yourself for a position or contact a Board member listed in this newsletter to indicate your interest. Officers need not be homeowners or domestic residents of the Grant Park neighborhood. Anyone who works within our boundaries is also eligible to serve.

We are a nurturing group of neighbors actively seeking new members to ensure that our collective voice rep- resents the diversity of our community.

www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Spring 2019 Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 3

Letters to the Editor and Articles Grant Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA) welcomes letters to the editor and original articles for publica- tion from those residing or working within neighborhood boundaries. Letters concerning prior published articles must be submitted within 30 days of newsletter distribution. Letters or articles that include profanity, libelous statements, personal attacks against individuals or specific organizations, or that are unreasonably long, will be rejected. Articles should be original or with attribution stated, and should address topics of local interest. Letters and articles submitted anonymously will be evaluated on a case by case basis for publication, but the editor must be able to verify the identity of the writer to ensure authenticity. Letters or articles that support or oppose individual candidates for public office cannot be published, but those concerning ballot measures will be consid- ered. GPNA Newsletter Ads The GPNA newsletter reaches over 2,000 homes and businesses between NE Broadway and NE Knott and from NE 26th to NE 47th, with some overlap around the outside edges. Distribution of the newsletter occurs quarterly.

Ads need to be print ready about three weeks before delivery of the next issue.

There is a per-issue standard rate, due upon receipt of an invoice with an attached copy of the issue in which the ad has run, and a per-year 10% discounted rate, which must be paid in advance. A copy of each issue will be sent to the advertiser.

For copy information contact Ron Laster, [email protected], 503-287-9566.

RATES/SIZES Business card 2”H x 3.5/3.625”W per issue $45 per year $162 Quarter page 4.5”H x 3.5/ 3. 625”W per issue $75 per year $270 Half page (horizontal) 4.5”H x 7.5”W per issue $120 per year $432 Half page (vertical) 9.5”H x 3.5/ 3. 625”W per issue $120 per year $432 Full page 9.5”H x 7.5”W per issue $210 per year $756

Donations to Neighborhood Causes Grant Park Neighborhood Association donates funds to projects that build and sustain strong community ties in the Grant Park neighborhood and surrounding Northeast Portland neighborhoods. The grants support local efforts that protect and expand neighborhood investments and help community-based organizations expand their roles as com- munity anchors.

Requests for GPNA donations must be made using a form on our website and cannot exceed $500. The Board recently approved several donation requests:

• Grant High School graduation party, designed to ensure a safe and celebratory evening for seniors.

• NE Village PDX to provide scholarship funds to assist local “honored citizens” to join the organization with the goal of aging in place in their own homes.

• Beverly Cleary Schools K-8 Foundation to purchase emergency preparedness supplies as an item for its annual fund raising auction.

www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 4 Spring 2019 Preparedness Kit Basics: Water and a Meeting Place by Nathan Havner, GPNA NET Team Member “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry” Once a year dump them out in your garden and refill - Thomas Fuller with tap water.

Regular readers of this newsletter surely recognize the If you’re like me, making space in my life and home need for Grant Park neighbors to be prepared in case for one bit of preparation easily leads to others. I like of emergency. We lock our doors at night, stock up on camping, and most disaster preparedness food is just basics when snow is in the forecast, and keep smoke cheaper versions of camp food. I even found three detector batteries fresh. These efforts keep us safe five-gallon tubs (free!) filled with food that will probably from dangers we’ve experienced, or have reason to outlive me on the Nextdoor app, recently covered in this believe may occur. What about the less obvious dan- newsletter. I love pinto beans and rice! Even if starting gers, though, like flooding, or severe earthquakes? With small only means your household has plenty to drink in regard to strapping your house to the foundation, finding case of disaster, it’s a start. an apartment with a secured water heater, keeping a “go kit” ready, and prepping your loved ones for up to How will you share your water, however, if you can’t two weeks without basic services, many of us fall victim find your loved ones? Making a simple plan to follow to the false dilemma between über-prepper and unpre- in case of catastrophe is an easy way to stay safe if all pared. It makes perfect sense to put off plans for once communication networks are down. I recall working in in a lifetime catastrophes: there’s too much to do to be Washington, DC, on 9/11, when cell phone service went adequately prepared; I’d probably do it wrong, anyway; down about 30 minutes after the plane hit the Pentagon, and the risk of these scenarios actually happening is and stayed down for most of the day. Visualize yourself still small. in all areas of your life, and consider a central meeting spot (probably someone’s house) easy for all to access. Here’s a compromise I think we can all live with. It’s Perhaps you can take the extra step, and holler across a fact that all of us need water to stay alive, and that the fence to your neighbor: “Oh, in case of catastrophe, each person uses about one gallon of water a day in our family will be meeting at Grandma’s as soon as we an emergency situation. Can you keep enough water safely can.” where you live so that your household will be self-suf- ficient for two weeks? Water containers are shockingly When we prepare for danger we take control of our cheap, and can be as simple as washed milk / soda ability to handle a crisis; we move from REACTING to bottles, stored out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. RESPONDING. I hope you consider a small cache of water and a family safety plan as ways to begin. Neighborhood Land Use Update by Ken Peterson Many in the neighborhood wonder what will become rent. Building exterior to be repainted, but not changed. of the several vacant commercial buildings within our Building signage added, reuse existing free-standing boundaries. pole sign.” Inquiries directed to Seth GaRey of CE John Company, the developer, have received no response. The Gordon’s Fireplace building, now a graffiti-covered This is a very different proposal from the preliminary abandoned eyesore with many broken windows, re- design proposal reported earlier, which called for demoli- mains in limbo. New owner Interurban Development has tion of the existing building and replacement with a much a promising design plan for the building, but still lacks larger commercial building. anchor tenants. As a result, forward progress is stalled, as is financing. Super Deluxe reportedly remains interested in the closed Burger King property as an expansion for its There is some vague news about the Jacksons minimart highly successful location on SE Powell. property. A recent check with the City of Portland re- vealed that an early assistance proposal has been sub- Finally, the recently closed QFC store is a property of mitted for the site. It reads as follows: “Remodel vacant major interest. Although leased by Kroger, the actual building. Change of use from mini-mart to bank use. owner is listed as MJH Land LLC, which eventually trac- Existing paved curbs, landscaping, bio-swales and street es back to Hasson Realty in Lake Oswego. An inquiry curb cuts to remain. Previous use was permitted recently recently made at that location has not produced any in 2012, so most landscaping, and site work is code cur- information. www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Spring 2019 Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 5 End of an Era, continued oversized 7-11, Plaid Pantry, or Jacksons. With long es, depositing their backpacks in a large heap by the open hours, QFC became the place to pick up a carton front door. No one seemed to tell them they had to do of milk or a dozen eggs, while reserving major shopping that, but it was something passed down as local lore. trips for other venues. The fact that Kroger owns both Parents living north of Broadway could send kids there the Fred Meyer and QFC chains blurred differences alone to get a treat without having to worry about the between the stores in terms of products, pricing, and danger of crossing a busy street with heavy traffic. quality. Manager Dowell also made a point of supporting the So why the many laments about closing? As a regular local community. QFC agreed to accept deposit bottle QFC shopper for the bulk of my groceries, I enjoyed and can donations for the Beverly Cleary schools and the ease of access, the short cashier lines, and espe- over several years many thousands of dollars were cially the quality of seafood offerings. I came to know collected that benefited local students. Many years ago, many of the employees on a first name basis, and they the store entered into a “good neighbor agreement” with recognized me on my frequent shopping trips. Patrick the Grant Park Neighborhood Association to restrict in the produce department always went out of his way both the types and hours of alcohol beverage sales, to find something fresh or to “look in the back” if some- to help deter drunken behavior in the neighborhood thing was limited or a bit wilted. Anthony in the seafood surrounding the store. The store also contributed food department did the same, and I have missed buying and other supplies to GPNA for its annual neighborhood his excellent quality fresh crabs this season. Carol, a cleanup. longtime employee, always made a special effort to be helpful. I think the notable difference at QFC was the If there is a silver lining, it is that all of the approximate- helpful customer service and genuine friendliness of the ly 65 employees at the store were able to transfer to employees. other Kroger markets, many of them even to other QFC stores in Portland. QFC was also a local communal spot. It was common to shop there and bump into a neighbor. There were Those who have managed to avoid the somewhat often small groups of friends and neighbors catching up non-intuitive layout and organization of Fred Meyer may with one another throughout the store. want to consider taking the plunge to learn the many different places within the store where the same catego- Generations of school kids visited QFC on a daily basis ries of groceries can be found. Don’t expect much help, at lunchtime or after classes to make small purchas- and take your GPS.

Bill to Curb Oregon Auto Theft Introduced by Ken Peterson Portland has the third highest rate of auto theft in the theft law. Current law requires prosecutors to prove that United State, behind only Baltimore and Detroit. The an occupant of a stolen vehicle knew beyond a reason- rate of auto theft has increased by more than half over able doubt that the vehicle was stolen. Two appellate the past few years, even though other crimes have court decisions led to a very strict interpretation of been stable or decreased, and affects all Portland this requirement. In the Fithe and Korp cases judicial neighborhoods. Adding insult to the shock of finding panels held that operation of a vehicle containing tools an empty space instead of a personal vehicle, rightful and implements used for auto theft was insufficient to owners often must pay hefty storage fees to towing infer culpability. As a result, prosecutors simply stopped companies after the recovery of stolen cars. GPNA, in charging defendants who didn’t actually admit outright conjunction with the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, that they had stolen the vehicles they were caught driv- among others, have focused on these issues and have ing. That reluctance, in turn, led to repeated theft with lobbied local elected officials to introduce legislation to impunity by a relatively small number of individuals who help curb the problem. knew what to say if they got caught.

Relief may come this legislative session in Salem. Opponents of past efforts to tighten the vehicle theft State Senator Michael Dembrow, who represents Grant laws argued that increased incarceration would drive Park, is among the sponsors of House Bill 2328, which continued page 6 attempts to remove a loophole from existing vehicle www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 6 Spring 2019 Bill to Curb Oregon Auto Theft, continued up prison costs. However, reliable cost estimates do concerning these issues, but simply allowing car theft not exist because no one knows what effect successful to increase without consequences does not seem to be prosecution and conviction would have upon the rate a reasonable choice. Many victims of such theft speak of theft occurrence. Would the current crop of recidivist of feeling a sense of personal violation upon discov- thieves stop stealing if they knew they would go to jail? ering their car is gone, or that it has essentially been Many car thieves have drug addiction issues, and some trashed and vandalized even if recovered. If you want policy makers want more treatment options instead of something to be done, let Senator Dembrow know you increased prosecution. Reasonable minds may differ support his pending legislative efforts.

Weed Are Not Alone by Laurene Mullen I love spring. On going to find yourself reading on the porch chair instead that rare lovely day of staying on the weeding task at hand (which never when the sun deigns happens to me, of course). We switch off yards on dif- to shine down upon ferent days. We drink tea and eat cookies. us, a walk through the neighborhood Look around, I say. Do you see a neighbor on hands reveals the sweet and knees, next to a bucket of chaff, sporting a little little crocuses and forehead dirt? Ask about joining forces to find compan- daffodils popping a ionship in keeping your lovely gardens blooming and if bit of color into our not weed free, at least weed depleted. otherwise grey, wet Margaret J. Wheatley said, “There is no power for world. But, what change greater than a community discovering what it else lies waiting cares about.” Okay, she was talking about social jus- (left to right) Laurene Mullen, underneath that tice, but couldn’t that apply to our dandelions, too? Linda Peterson, and Nanwei Su good earth? Weeds! Those little monsters that put up such a good fight for our garden space. You know that a weed is just any plant that we don’t want in our garden. I must have dozens of wanted plants in my garden that I tenderly baby along, cajoling them to thrive and , and thousands of weeds that I curse and pull and discriminate against. It’s a constant lonely battle all growing season to nurture what I want and kill the rest!

But it doesn’t have to be lonely. I have two neighbors who also tend to their gardens. For years Nanwei, Lin- da, and I talked and shared ideas about our respective gardens. What to plant, trading plants that no longer thrived in one person’s yard but might do well in that little patch of sun in someone else’s plot. Then one day after another sidewalk session mildly complaining about those dreaded weeds we came up with an idea to join forces. We named ourselves The Dirt Dolls of Dolph Park. A group of three intrepid lady gardeners dedicated to helping one other with our garden chores. Through- out the summer on a semi-regular basis we gather in one of our yards and have at it. It feels like a miracle. In a short amount of time our yards get a spruce up and it’s just so much easier with company. Besides, when WA # NWSEIS*828PK you have friends helping you in your yard you are hardly www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Spring 2019 Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 7 Grant High Remodel Reveals Innovations by Ken Peterson A recent visit to the reimagined Grant High School nities. Most classrooms will have projection and other provided a glimpse of what is to come next fall. From multimedia options built in, and easily movable portable the enormous new gym with remarkably flexible use tables and other furniture will enable fast transformation options, to state of the art science labs, to new per- to accommodate changing lesson plans and student formance and art facilities, to community responsive group sizes. multi-gender restroom options, the new Grant High will be an exciting addition to our neighborhood and the According to Jamie Hurd, one of the PPS Project larger community surrounding it. The entire school will Managers for the remodel, an original design goal be ADA compliant in a multi-use design manner, so when the first Grant High buildings were constructed that those who need to use ramps travel in concert with will resurface: access to the natural setting surrounding those who prefer stairs. the school. When the school opened in 1924 with about 1,200 students, the large windows in the first buildings Portland Public Schools (PPS) hopes to achieve Sil- gave great views of adjacent Grant Park, something ver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design that felt essential and beneficial by education experts (LEED) designation for the building due to extensive at the time. Over the years as space needs increased, use of solar energy and other energy efficient innova- added bungalows and other buildings often obscured tions. LED lighting equipped with photoelectric sensors those views and restricted natural light. Eventually there ensure that there is enough light in classrooms, but not were seven buildings, often disconnected from one more than needed. Lighting arrays near windows may another. They will be replaced by a flowing design that be dimmer than those near an interior wall without nat- enables interior access at all three levels to the entire ural light, while expanded, covered bicycle parking pro- campus in a circular, flowing manner. vides a great location for rooftop solar energy panels. A community open house is planned as part of the grand Flexible classroom sizing provides options for semi- reopening of the school. You won’t want to miss it. nars, as well as meeting spaces for planning groups of students and/or faculty. Students with special needs will have many new options to maximize learning opportu-

Time for Mason Bees by Lois Okrasinski When fruit trees begin to flower Mason Bees emerge more way to interact with nature and share positivity from their winter cocoons and begin the job of pollinat- with others. Come time to pick fruit you may have extra ing apricot, peach, plum, cherry, apple, nut and pear to share as a result of thorough pollination in these early trees, not to mention other plants that require early spring months. spring pollination like blueberries. Both the live bees themselves and nesting tubes in wooden blocks are Mason Bees got their name because after laying an advertised this month at local garden centers, nurseries, egg the female adroitly seals the space with a mud wall. and in supply catalogs. You can also get them online. When the nesting tube you have provided is full of eggs she finishes with a thick mud plug at the entrance. Mason Bees will begin their work when temperatures are as low as 54 degrees. They will fly under cloudy These solitary little bees go about their work unobtru- skies and in a light drizzle. A solitary Mason Bee can sively. They are perfect for urban settings like Grant pollinate as effectively as 100 honeybees, foraging ear- Park Neighborhood because they do NOT sting! lier in the morning and far later in the evening.

Providing Mason Bees and their dwelling tubes is a giant win-win for our Grant Park Neighborhood. It is one

www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213 Grant Park Neighborhood Association – 8 Spring 2019 The Banana Cake That Traveled All Around Portland by Ken Peterson

The history of grocery stores in Portland is complicated. When the Kienow’s chain sold in 1999, many of its smaller stores were closed, but QFC bought three of them on the east side. Before Kienow’s became QFC in Grant Park, it had a bakery known as Bohemian Bakery that made highly regarded banana cake, called Bavarian Banana Cake. Whether that cake originated at Kienow’s, or whether it was created by an independent bakery within a Kienow’s store appears uncertain. After the arrival of QFC, the cake could no longer be found in the local store.

Meanwhile, one of the first New Seasons stores was a former Kienow’s in Raleigh Hills. The cake recipe was re- portedly part of the deal, and New Seasons now proudly labels it “Our Famous Banana Cake.” The cake appears to have traveled far and wide in Portland, perhaps from the first Kienow’s on SE Morrison and 14th Avenue, to the first New Seasons in Raleigh Hills, and finally to the New Seasons Central Kitchen in southeast where the cake is made and distributed to all the New Seasons Markets. You can buy a 6-inch by 8 inch cake at New Seasons for $13.99. Or, you can try making your own from the recipe below, which claims to be a close approximation of the original. New Seasons confirmed the ingredients used, but not the quantities, since ’s current version is made on a much larger scale: Bavarian Banana Cake just combined. Add oil, mashed bananas, and vanil- la. Beat for 1 minute until just combined, then add Serves 12 to 16 the buttermilk and egg yolks and beat for 1 addition- al minute. Set aside to make the meringue. For the cake: 2 cups unbleached wheat flour 2. In a separate bowl, with clean beaters, beat egg 1 cup vanilla sugar (if you do not have this, add an whites on medium speed. While continuing to beat, add cream of tartar, then 1/2 cup sugar gradually. extra 1 tsp. of vanilla [see below], and use Beat on high until stiff peaks form. Fold the me- regular sugar) ringue gently into the cake batter until the streaks 2 teaspoons baking powder just fade. 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 3. Prepare a 12- x 17-inch jelly roll pan (a large baking sheet with high edges): Butter the edges, then line ½ cup canola oil it with parchment paper and flour it. Pour the batter 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (approximately in and place it into the oven. Bake for about 17 to 20 3 bananas) minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center 2-½ teaspoons vanilla (3-½ if you are not using comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan on vanilla sugar) a cooling rack. Let the cake cool for one hour. 1 /3 cup buttermilk 4. To make the frosting, sift confectioners’ sugar into a 2 eggs, separated bowl and set aside. In a large chilled bowl, whip the 1 teaspoon cream of tartar cream and mascarpone together, gradually adding ½ cup granulated sugar, divided the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Whip until firm peaks form. For the whipped cream and mascarpone filling: ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar 5. To assemble the cake, cut the edges off of it. Cut 2 cups heavy whipping cream the cake into thirds and then those thirds in half so ½ cup mascarpone cheese that you have six cakes—this will yield two cakes with three layers each. Place one layer on a plate. 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 Apply frosting evenly, about ¼- /3 inch thick. Top the 3 bananas, thinly sliced frosting with a single layer of banana slices. Place Directions: another layer of cake on top and repeat with the third layer. Repeat with the second cake. Refriger- 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl or the bowl ate—this cake tastes best after it rests in the fridge of a stand mixer, whisk together sifted flour, vanilla for a few hours, or up to overnight. Serve. sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until www.grantpark-na.org P O Box 13102, Portland, OR 97213